Oh boy I know I am gonna get it now, taking on both Jim and ham, But, this one smacks of a pieced together specimen. At minimum it has been heavily and poorly messed with. 1) I will start with the corrosion on the hilt lanyard rivet and ferrule are completely different than the guard and the blade. Accepted that the guard and blade have been heavily cleaned, but I would expect more pitting if it started the same. 2) the ferrule is broken, that is usually a sure sign that the hilt has been switched and did not fit correctly. 3) the ferrule does not fit the guard ie; it doesn't curve to conform to the curve of the back of the guard. is that a piece of leather in between? lastly and the weakest 4) the over all appearace is "off". Now I will brace my self for the replys
. As ham has stated this is a pleasure.
Jeff